Erskineville
Household income at the 97th percentile ($3,020/week) and university qualifications at 69.4% (39.3 points above national) make Erskineville one of Sydney's most credentialed and affluent inner-city pockets, packed into just 0.81 km2 at 11,959 people per km2. The 81.0% full-time employment rate is exceptionally high compared to the national average, and the 3.4% unemployment rate sits well below it. Despite premium incomes, 54.1% rent, reflecting the apartment-dominated market (61.8%) where the $1,200,000 median (PSI-derived) grew a modest 2.8% from $1,186,500 in 2024. Active gentrification (score 40) continues, with population up 37.6% over the decade.
Population
9,657
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,020/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
71
Median House
$1.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
Apartments at 61.8% and semi-detached at 34.6% dominate, with detached houses at just 3.2%. Two-bedrooms at 51.0% are the most common type, followed by studio/one-bedrooms at 27.4% and three-bedrooms at 17.0%. The $1,200,000 median (PSI-derived) rose 2.8% from $1,186,500 in 2024 to $1,220,000 in 2025, modest growth by Sydney standards. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,800 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.4%, well below stress levels thanks to the 97th-percentile incomes. Only 12.9% own outright and 33.0% carry mortgages, meaning renters at 54.1% dominate. Walking/cycling at 22.5% and public transport at 20.8% reduce car dependency.
For Buyers
Apartments at 61.8% and semi-detached at 34.6% dominate, with detached houses at just 3.2%. Two-bedrooms at 51.0% are the most common type, followed by studio/one-bedrooms at 27.4% and three-bedrooms at 17.0%. The $1,200,000 median (PSI-derived) rose 2.8% from $1,186,500 in 2024 to $1,220,000 in 2025, modest growth by Sydney standards. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,800 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.4%, well below stress levels thanks to the 97th-percentile incomes. Only 12.9% own outright and 33.0% carry mortgages, meaning renters at 54.1% dominate. Walking/cycling at 22.5% and public transport at 20.8% reduce car dependency.
For Investors
The 54.1% renter share provides a large tenant pool above the national average. Median weekly rent of $620 against a $1,200,000 median produces gross yield around 2.7%, typical for inner Sydney. The 9.8% vacancy rate is elevated but lower than some neighbouring precincts. Capital growth of 2.8% over the latest year is modest. With 73 DAs in 12 months, the pipeline is active, adding supply pressure. Net overseas migration of 422 per year drives demand, offset by internal outflow of 108, creating a revolving-door pattern common to inner-city Sydney. The population turnover rate of 44.9% confirms high resident churn.
Development Activity
Total DAs
340
Last 12 Months
71
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+16.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Erskineville iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Erskineville Public School
K-6 · 334 students
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 169 students
Demographics
University qualifications at 69.4% are 39.3 points above national, the highest premium in this batch, consistent with IEO decile 10. English ancestry leads at 3,365, with Irish (1,412) and Chinese (923) following. The 38.7% born overseas sits 17.1 points above the national average. Mandarin (155), Cantonese (72) and French (52) lead non-English languages. The median age of 34 runs 6 years below national. Average household size of 2.0 is well below the national 2.5, and couples without children at 51.8% dominate families, reflecting a young professional and DINK household structure. The 44.9% turnover rate is among the highest in this batch.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
3.2%
Houses
34.6%
Townhouse
61.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Only 12.9% own outright and 33.0% hold mortgages, with renters at 54.1% dominating tenure. The median rose from $1,186,500 in 2024 to $1,220,000 in 2025, a 2.8% increase. Apartments at 61.8% and semi-detached at 34.6% define the built form, with houses at just 3.2%. Two-bedrooms (51.0%) and studio/one-bedrooms (27.4%) make up 78.4% of all dwellings, meaning family-sized stock is scarce. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.4% is comfortable at these income levels. Affordability improved over the decade from 41.9% to 35.4%, driven by income growth outpacing housing costs.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,800
Rent / wk
$620
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$1,704
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.8%
Unoccupied
494
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
51.8%
Couples, no children
6,352
Total families
Economy & Employment
Professional/Tech dominates at 23.6% (1,355 workers), more than double Finance at 11.5% (659). Healthcare at 10.7%, Education at 10.4% and Public Admin at 7.6% follow. This concentration in knowledge-economy sectors is consistent with the IEO decile 10. Professionals (3,305) and Managers (1,437) form nearly three-quarters of the occupation base. The 81.0% full-time rate is exceptionally high, and participation at 76.3% significantly exceeds the national average. Unemployment at 3.4% is well below average. The IER decile 4, despite very high incomes, reflects how area-level SEIFA measures penalise renter-heavy, small-dwelling suburbs.
Unemployment
3.0%
Labour Force
15,467
Unemployed
459
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
81.0%
Part-time
15.6%
Participation
76.3%
Employed
6,347
Occupations
Top Industries
University
69.4%
Postgraduate
22.9%
Born Overseas
38.7%
Dwellings
4,532
Transport to Work
Walking/cycling at 22.5% and public transport at 20.8% give Erskineville a low car-dependency profile (53.5% drive), well above the national pedestrian benchmark. Two schools serve the suburb: Erskineville Public School (ICSEA 1,155, 334 students, Government) and St Mary's Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,145, 169 students), both sitting 145-155 points above the national benchmark. IRSAD decile 10 and IRSD decile 10 confirm top-tier socio-economic advantage. Rent-to-income at 20.5% is moderate, and the 1.8% needing-assistance rate is very low.
Drive
53.5%
Public Transport
20.8%
Walk / Cycle
22.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.2%/yr
(+473 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth averages 2.2% per year (473 persons), strong for inner Sydney. The 37.6% increase over the decade is well above the national average. Overseas migration of 422 per year is the primary driver, with internal migration at negative 108. The medium forecast projects 24,441 by 2031, up from 22,077 in 2026. Active gentrification (score 40) continues: population grew 45% since 2011, growth is accelerating (from 16% to 25%), and real income grew 14.8%. The senior share expanded by 1.3 points, a modest aging signal within a still-young suburb.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+422
Net Internal / yr
-108
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +45% since 2011, Net internal outflow -108/yr, Strong overseas inflow +422/yr, Accelerating: 16% → 25%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Erskineville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erskineville a good suburb to live in?
Erskineville suits high-income professionals who value walkability (22.5% walk/cycle, 20.8% public transport) and inner-city access. IRSAD decile 10 and 69.4% university qualifications (39.3 points above national) signal elite socio-economic conditions. The $1,200,000 median buys an apartment, not a house. Mortgage stress at 21.4% is low thanks to 97th-percentile incomes.
What is the median house price in Erskineville?
The median is $1,200,000 (PSI-derived, apartment-dominated), rising 2.8% from $1,186,500 in 2024 to $1,220,000 in 2025. Weekly rent is $620 and monthly mortgage repayments sit at $2,800. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.4% is comfortable at 97th-percentile incomes ($3,020/week household).
What schools are in Erskineville?
Erskineville has 2 schools, both well above the national ICSEA benchmark. Erskineville Public School (ICSEA 1,155, 334 students, Government) and St Mary's Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,145, 169 students) sit 145-155 points above the 1,000 baseline, reflecting the suburb's top-percentile demographic.
Is Erskineville safe?
Crime data is not available for Erskineville in the current dataset. The IRSD decile 10 indicates the lowest possible disadvantage. The 3.4% unemployment rate and 1.8% needing-assistance rate are both well below national averages. IRSAD decile 10 and 76.3% participation rate signal strong community stability.
Is Erskineville good for property investment?
The 54.1% renter share provides a deep tenant pool. Gross yield is roughly 2.7% ($620/week on $1,200,000), typical for inner Sydney. Capital growth of 2.8% over the latest year is modest. The 9.8% vacancy rate is elevated. With 73 DAs in 12 months, there is active development. Population growth of 2.2% per year and overseas migration of 422 annually support demand.
How is Erskineville's population changing?
Growth is strong at 2.2% per year (473 people), with population up 37.6% over the decade. Overseas migration of 422 per year is the primary driver, offset by internal outflow of 108. The medium forecast projects 24,441 by 2031. Gentrification is active (score 40), with real income up 14.8% and growth accelerating from 16% to 25%.
What languages are spoken in Erskineville?
Mandarin (155), Cantonese (72), French (52), German (45) and Italian (39) lead non-English languages. With 38.7% born overseas (17.1 points above national), the mix is cosmopolitan but less concentrated than typical migrant-gateway suburbs. Chinese ancestry at 923 is the largest non-Anglo group.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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